If you’re anything like me, you’re probably grateful that the last time you had to solve a tricky math problem or wrestle with an algebraic equation was back in high school. Those long hours spent staring at numbers, formulas, and symbols felt endless, didn’t they? Math was a subject that could either click instantly or leave you completely puzzled.
For many, it was a love-hate relationship. The satisfaction of solving a problem after countless attempts? Unmatched. But the frustration of feeling stuck, flipping through pages of notes, and trying to recall formulas? Equally unforgettable. Fortunately, life doesn’t always require you to find the square root of something or simplify a fraction every day. Unless you’re in a field like engineering or data analysis, your math skills probably revolve around calculating tips, balancing budgets, or planning expenses. Thankfully, technology now handles the heavy lifting, leaving us to focus on what we love!
I’m well aware that some people are wired to enjoy math, just as certain others (myself included) are wired to loath it. I like to think of myself as more of a creative soul than a logically-thinking one. But hey, everyone’s different.
That said, while I certainly had no love for tackling math in stuffy classrooms packed full of disobedient kids, I have taken something of an unlikely pleasure in solving online problems when and where I find them.
It’s all done in my own sweet time of course (and absolutely not in any sort of hurry), but the process of working my way through internet riddles and puzzles is something I’m now quite taken with.
And I know I’m not the only one. No, it appears there are a whole host of folks out there who pride themselves on being able to spot patterns and work out challenging math problems.
It’s to that end that we decided to put the minds of our beloved readers to the test, with a bran-teasing issue that’s left plenty of people across the internet scratching their heads.
So, got your thinking cap on? Ready for this week’s exercise in mathematical gymnastics? I certainly hope so… because here it comes:
If 1+4=5, 2+5=12, and , then what is the value of 5+8?
Perhaps it’s easier if you see it written out as follows:
1+4=5
2+5=12
3+6=21
5+8=?
It appears that this particular problem has left a large portion of the internet scratching their heads, and a lot of people split on what the correct answer actually is. Much of it depends on how you approach the exercise of course; what exact method you employ to try and help you find the right answer.
And the crux of it all? There’s more than one correct answer! In fact, there are quite a few if our research is anything to go by. If you’ve had a go at the problem yourself and want to see if you’ve got it right (or if, like me, you were ultimately left so frustrated that you simply have to be given the answer) see below for five different ways the problem can be tackled.
Solution one
1 + 4 = 5
2 + 5 = 2 + 2(5) = 12
3 + 6 = 3 + 3(6) = 21
5 + 8 = 5 + 5(8) = 45
ALGORITHM: A + A(B) = C
ANSWER = 45
Solution two
1 + 4 = 1 + 4 + (0) = 5
2 + 5 = 2 + 5 + (5) = 12
3 + 6 = 3 + 6 + (12) = 21
5 + 8 = 5 + 8 + (21) = 34
ALGORITHM: A + B + C’ = C, where C’ is the previous answer
ANSWER = 34
Solution Three
1 + 4 = 5 = 5
2 + 5 = (5 + 2) + (5) = 12
3 + 6 = (7 + 2) + (12) = 21
5 + 8 = (9 + 2) + (21) = 32
ALGORITHM: for {X=5, C = X + C’ , X = X+2 };, where C’ is the previous answer. A and B not used in equation,
ANSWER = 32
Solution Four
1 + 4 = 5
2 + 5 = 7 (base 5) =12
3 + 6 = 9 (base 4) = 21
5 + 8 = 13 (base 3) = 111
ALGORITHM: for {X=6, C = (A + B)^(10 -> X), X -1} (First answer in Base6, then Base 5, then 4, etc…)
ANSWER = 111
Solution Five
1 + 4 = 5
2 + 5 = 7 (base 5) =12
3 + 6 = 9 (base 4) = 21
4 + 7 = 11 (base 3) = 102
5 + 8 = 13 (base 2) (aka binary) = 1101
ALGORITHM: for {X=6, C = (A + B)^(10 -> X), X -1} (First answer in Base6, then
Base 5, then 4, etc…including “missing” numbers
ANSWER = 1101
James Anderson is a seasoned journalist and the primary author of many articles on usaunfiltered24.com. With a keen eye for current events and trends, James has built a reputation for delivering timely, insightful content on a wide range of topics, from breaking news to popular culture. His ability to simplify complex issues and present them in an engaging way has made him one of the go-to writers for readers seeking reliable information. With years of experience in the media industry, James is known for his thorough research and commitment to providing readers with accurate and up-to-date news, making him a trusted voice in the world of journalism.